Steppenwolf changes: Lavey replaced, new theaters planned

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Steppenwolf

A "phased campus expansion" will replace Steppenwolf's two temporary performance spaces with "purpose-built, state-of-the-art theaters," the iconic Chicago theater said today. Here are some renderings of the new spaces. Pictured here: Steppenwolf's current theater on Halsted.

Halsted View

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is shuffling its leadership and plans a $50 million expansion project.

Two new theaters will replace temporary theaters Steppenwolf has been using.

Meanwhile, celebrated artistic director Martha Lavey is stepping down from the Lincoln Park theater. She will be replaced by Tony Award-winning Anna D. Shapiro at the end of the current season, in fall 2015. Ms. Lavey will remain with Steppenwolf as an ensemble member.

Steppenwolf Managing Director David Hawkanson also is stepping down and will be replaced by David M. Schmitz, the theater company's managing director, in January. Mr. Hawkanson will remain with the company as principal financial and administrative leader over the expansion project.

The administrative changes and details about the building project were spelled out in a news conference in the main theater this morning. Board Chair Nora Conroy praised the work of Ms. Lavey and Mr. Hawkanson, saying, "We wouldn't be the premier ensemble company today without their leadership." She said the appointments of Ms. Shapiro and Mr. Schmitz will allow a "seamless" transition to the theater company's next chapter.

The company will keep its 550-seat main theater, but that building will get an open and expanded lobby area that easily connects to a new "black box" theater to the north, which will have about 80 seats, and a new 400-seat "flexible" theater to the south. That southern space will feature a stage that can be manipulated closer to the audience. A theater space above the main theater will become a practice area, said Mr. Hawkanson.

The theater company's new campus, which is still two years away, will allow for extended productions and encourage more community engagement, according to Ms. Conroy and others at the news conference.

Steppenwolf Board of Trustees member Eric Lefkofsky praised the company's new chapter, acknowledging he's donated "a lot" to the $50 million project. So far, $20 million has been raised.

FUNDING FIRST

The board won't move forward until money is in hand, said Mr. Hawkanson, adding the project is in check with zoning laws in the area along Halsted Street.

Last year, Crain's reported that the theater, at 1650 N. Halsted St., planned to spend about $3.8 million to renovate the Ethan Allen store to expand the lobby and create a meeting room where audience members and actors can discuss plays.

The changes in artistic leadership shouldn't come as a complete surprise, Ms. Lavey said, acknowledging "it's time" to pass the mantle to Ms. Shapiro, who drew acclaim for directing "August: Osage County." The play went on to Broadway, where Ms. Shapiro has become a familiar name. But she acknowledged she'll be focused now on Steppenwolf, and will continue to teach at Northwestern University.

Mr. Lefkofsky, who's also CEO of Groupon Inc., praised the Steppenwolf changes, calling the expansion "a bold plan" that will allow the company to "welcome new generations and audiences."